. >> i want ryan to be able to express what we want for our country, like romney did in the presidential debate. >> i think it will help obama if joe biden does well. >> reporter: with the debate hall ready at center college, paul ryan arrived, a 42-year-old republican whiz kid set to face a 69-year-old debate veteran. >> joe biden has been on this stage before. it's my first time. but what he can't run from is president obama's indefensible record. >> reporter: the vice president is sometimes hurting team obama with gaffes, that he won't dodge. >> looking forward to it. >> reporter: the stakes in danville look higher after last year's debate in denver. >> the reason is mitt romney's developed significant momentum from his debate performance from barack obama last week. >> reporter: romney, who last night held a big rally in sidney, ohio, narrowed the gap in that key state. in the new nbc poll, no change in florida, obama by one. romney up three since the debate. romney up two in ohio, trailing by six. >> you're talking about single digits, having picked sides as a result of the debate,